Photograph mounting assembly

ABSTRACT

A photograph retaining assembly is disclosed, wherein a backing substrate has an adhesive layer on one side and a plurality of retaining pockets on a second side. The retaining pockets formed to preclude perforation of the backing substrate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an assembly for releasably mountingimages, and more particularly to the releasable retention of aphotograph to a page, wherein the photograph and a mount aresimultaneously aligned with each and may be adhered to the page as asingle element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The storage and display of images, such as photographs oftensignificantly contributes to their value. That is, if a picture is neverdisplayed, its value will likely not be realized. Even if the picture isdisplayed, the mounting of the picture may contribute to itsdegradation. That is, many current mounting components tend todeteriorate over time, thereby creating the risk of releasing thephotograph from the mount. In addition, some mounts may actually degradethe retained photograph. This deterioration of the photograph may resultfrom contact or exposure of the mount to the photograph. Chemicals fromthe mount may leech into the photograph and distort the image quality.

A further problem exists in mounting a picture to a given page in adesired location. Thus, misalignment often occurs. Devices employed formounting pictures have utilized double-sided adhesive stickers whichwere stuck to the back of picture at the corners and then stuck to amounting sheet by moistening the stickers. However, these adhesives aregenerally harmful to the photograph or prohibitively expensive.

Alternatively, slits in a mounting sheet have been used to retain aphotograph with respect to the sheet. The slits are cut in the sheet andallow no user modification. Thus, there is no ability to locate thephotograph in a particular location on a page.

Therefore, the need exists for a retention system that can retain aphotograph without exposing the photograph to damaging adhesives. Theneed also exists for a system in which photographs are operably alignedwith a mount or retainer, and the combination can be readily alignedwith a page. A further need exists for a system that can be readilylocated with respect to a page such that a resulting location of thephotograph is visible during the mounting process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mounting system that allows aphotograph to be operably retained with respect to the mount and thecombined photograph and mount to be located with respect to a support.The invention is particularly directed to mounting planar images such asphotographs with respect to a support such as a page in an album.

The present invention includes a backing substrate having an adhesive onone planar surface that retains the backing substrate with respect tothe support and a second planar surface of the backing substrate havinga plurality of overlay areas, configured as retaining pockets, to retaina portion of a periphery of the photograph.

The present invention provides a mount for photographs, wherein noplastic layer is disposed over the face of the photograph to retain thephotograph. Only a portion of the periphery of the photograph is coveredin the present invention. Further, the portion of the periphery may be acorner or an edge of the photograph.

The present invention offers the benefit of simultaneously locating thephotograph and associated mount to a page of a photo album.Specifically, the present invention obviates the need to locate andtemporarily retain multiple individual corner supports to an album page.By providing a system having all the retaining pockets affixed to asubstrate, the photograph and the substrate will not be subject tounintended separation, and accurate alignment with the album page isreadily achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a retaining pocket in the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an expanded retaining pocket forreceiving a portion of the periphery of a planar image.

FIG. 5 depicts a support bearing two mounted backing substrates.

FIG. 6 is an exaggerated cross sectional view taken along lines 6--6 ofFIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the present invention provides a mountingsystem 10 for locating a planar image 12 with respect to a support 14.The planar image 12 may be a print, a painting a photograph, drawing orother image. For purposes of the present description, the planar image12 is set forth as a photograph. The support 14 may be a wall, a tabletop, or any surface with which the planar image 12 is to be displayed.For purposes of the present description, the support 14 is a page in aphoto album.

Generally, the present invention includes a backing substrate 20 and aplurality of retaining pockets 30.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention including the backingsubstrate 20. Preferably, the backing substrate 20 has a first and asecond planar surface 22, 24. The first planar surface 22 includes theadhesive material 40 and the second planar surface 24 contacts a rearsurface of the photograph. The adhesive material 40 may be any varietyof materials such as permanent or releasable adhesives. Preferably, thebacking substrate 20 is non-degrading with respect to the planar image12. A backing substrate 20 sold under the trademark CHARTPAK by Chartpakof Massachusetts has been found to be an acceptable material. Thebacking substrate 20 is impervious to the adhesive material 40 so thatmigration of the adhesive material from the first surface 22 to thesecond surface 24 is substantially precluded. Preferably, the adhesivelayer 40 is initially covered by a releasable film 42 that is readilyremoved to expose the adhesive layer.

The second surface 24 of the backing substrate 20 includes the retainingpockets 30. The retaining pockets 30 are formed by an overlying member32 that overlies a portion of the backing substrate 20. The overlyingmember 22 may be a portion of the backing substrate that has been foldedto overlie the second surface 24. Alternatively, the overlying member 22may be a separately formed member that is attached to the second surface24 of the backing substrate 20. In a further configuration, theretaining pocket 30 may have a bottom 34 and the overlying member 22joined along three sides, or so as to define a pocket having an opening38. An outside of the bottom 34 will be joined to the second surface 24of the backing substrate 20. The retaining pocket 30 may be joined tothe backing substrate 20 by any of a variety of mechanisms such asadhesives, welding heat treating or other fixedly attaching process. Theretaining pockets 30 have the opening 38 into which a portion of theplanar image 12 is received. The retaining pockets 30, shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 2, are constructed to encompass a corner of the planar image 12to be retained. The retaining pockets 30 are preferably formed of anarchival material that will not degrade the planar image 12.

The retaining pockets 30 may separately formed from the backingsubstrate 20 and affixed to the substrate at any location. Thus, a usermay identify the desired location of the planar image 12 with respect tothe backing substrate 20 and affix the retaining pockets 30 at therequired locations to the second surface 24. The planar image 12 is thenengaged by the retaining pockets 30 and the backing substrate 20 andengaged planar image 12 are bonded to the page.

Preferably, the retaining pocket 30 is sufficiently affixed to thebacking substrate 20 so that non destructive separation is substantiallyprecluded.

The retaining pockets 30 may have any of a variety of configurations.The retaining pockets 30 may engage a corner of the planar image 12, oran edge of the planar image 12. FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment inwhich retaining pockets 30 extend along an entire dimension of theplanar image 12 along a periphery. FIG. 4 shows the opening 38 whichpermits retention of a planar image 12.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the invention in which a planar image 12is retained by the retaining pockets 30 with respect to the backingsubstrate 20. A page 70 of a photo album 60 holds two of the mountingassemblies.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3 inwhich the retaining pocket 30 includes the overlying member 22 and thebottom 34 adhered to the second surface 24 of the backing substrate 20.The backing substrate 20, in turn, has the adhesive layer 40 with thereleasable film 42.

Thus, the planar image 12 may be displayed without the use of a plasticoverlay. Any damage that may result from extended contact between theplanar image 12 and a plastic overlay is reduced. In addition, theplanar image 12 is readily visible without the distorting effects of aplastic overlay. It is contemplated the backing substrate 20 may besized and include sufficient retaining pockets 30 to locate two or moreplanar images 12. Further, the backing substrate 20 may be sized toaccommodate any of a variety of photograph sizes.

The present invention offers the benefit of locating the planar image 12and associated mounting system 10 to a page in the photo album. In priorsystems, a user had to balance a corner mount on all four corners of thephotograph and then align the photograph with the page, trying to placea balanced corner mounts and photo on the page. In these prior systems,a corner mount invariably fell off or the photograph was misaligned. Bymounting the planar image 12 to the substrate 20 prior to aligning withthe support, wherein the substrate and the photograph are not be subjectto unintended separation, the present invention thus allows accuratealignment with the album page.

In use, the protective film 42 is removed, thereby exposing the adhesive40. The adhesive 40 and substrate 20 is then affixed to the support 14,with or without the planar image 12. The second surface 24 of thebacking substrate 20 has previously adhered retaining pockets 30 whichare ready to receive a planar image 12. Simply by inserting an edge ofthe planar image 12 into the opening 38, the planar image is easilymounted relative to the backing substrate 20.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationof material to the teachings of the invention without departing from thescope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention notbe limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of theappended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A mount for releasably retaining a planar imagerelative to a support, comprising:(a) a backing substrate having a firstand a second planar surface defined by a periphery; (b) an adhesivelayer on the first surface of the backing substrate; (c) a removablefilm on the adhesive layer; and (d) a plurality of retaining pocketshaving a bottom wall and an overlying wall, each wall formed of adifferent material than the backing substrate, the bottom wall connectedto the backing substrate to preclude non destructive separation.
 2. Themount of claim 1, wherein the retaining pockets have a triangularperiphery.
 3. The mount of claim 1, wherein the retaining pockets have arectangular periphery.
 4. The mount of claim 1, further comprising anadhesive intermediate the bottom wall and the backing substrate, theadhesive located to preclude contact with the planar image upon operableengagement with the mount.
 5. The mount of claim 1, wherein theretaining pockets are substantially transparent.
 6. The mount of claim1, wherein the retaining pockets are opaque.
 7. A method of forming aretaining for releasably retaining a planar image with respect to abacking substrate, comprising:(a) disposing an adhesive on a firstplanar surface of a contiguous backing substrate; (b) releaseablycovering the adhesive layer with a film; and (c) attaching a pluralityof retaining pockets having a bottom wall and a top wall to the backingsubstrate, the retaining pockets overlying a portion of the backingsubstrate and formed of a different material than the backing substrate.8. The method of claim 7, further comprising forming the retainingpockets of an opaque material.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thecorners and an edge of the planar image between the corners are disposedin a rectangularly shaped retaining pocket.
 10. A mount assembly forreleaseably retaining a planar image to preclude adhesive contact withthe planar image, the mount assembly comprising:(a) a backing substratehaving a first and a second planar surface; (b) an adhesive layer on thefirst surface of the backing substrate; (c) a protective filmreleaseably engaged with the adhesive layer; and (d) a plurality ofretaining pockets separately formed and of a different material from thebacking substrate having a bottom and an overlying member to define apocket opening, the bottom having an area at least as large as theoverlying member and bonded to the backing substrate to preclude nondestructive separation of the retaining pocket from the backingsubstrate; the backing substrate and the retaining pockets selected topreclude adhesive contacting the planar image.
 11. The assembly of claim10, wherein the backing substrate has a periphery substantiallycoincident with a periphery of the planar image.
 12. The assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the backing substrate precludes migration of theadhesive through the backing substrate.
 13. The assembly of claim 10,further comprising an adhesive intermediate the retaining pockets andthe second planar surface.
 14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein theretaining pockets are substantially transparent.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the retaining pockets are opaque.
 16. A mount forreleaseably retaining a planar image, comprising:(a) a backing substratehaving a first and a second planar surface; (b) an adhesive layercovering the first surface of the backing substrate; (c) a removablefilm on the adhesive layer; and (d) a plurality of retaining pocketsconnected to the backing substrate, each retaining pocket separatelyformed of an archival material different from the backing substrate andhaving a bottom wall and an overlying wall to form a pocket opening, thebottom wall non-releaseably connected to the backing substrate andprecluding adhesive contact with the planar image, the bottom wall andthe overlying wall having a substantially smaller area than the backingsubstrate.